Chapter:
32 - Women
Mover:
Sinead Winn
Seconder:
Evelyn Hart-Reid
 
 
Source:
My Private Notes


Preamble

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We welcome the Federal government’s decision to permanently roll out the Leaving Violence Program. This program will provide eligible victim-survivors with an individualised financial support package of up to $1,500 in cash and up to $3,500 in goods and services, as well as safety planning, risk assessment and referrals to other essential services for up to 12 weeks, and will now be indexed annually. 


However, $1500 in cash is often not enough for women escaping DV, especially if they are escaping with children. Abusers often will limit family and friends from the victim-survivor, so they might not feel they can reach out at that critical escaping stage for help. The proposed below increase aims to empower women escaping violence, and can also cover expenses not able to be covered on gift cards, such as bond, rent, school expenses, and utilising the second hand goods market.

Amendment

Amendment to 0069G

Amendment to 0069G

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We call the Federal and ACT governments to:


  1. Increase the cash payment from $1500 to $3000 $5000. This will allow women escaping DV to be empowered and assured that they will have enough money to escape and set up a new life, without having to resort to going back to their abuser. We also call the government to conduct periodic reviews to ensure the effectiveness of the total amount. We also call the government to ensure the safety of women receiving the funds, factoring that some women escaping violence do not have bank accounts. This could include helping women with setting up a bank account if needed.  
  2. Put sexual assault and domestic violence frontline services on a three five year funding model to ensure they can adequately plan their resources and make long term strategic decisions (such as implementing new programs and make effective hiring decisions). We also call on both the Federal and ACT governments to increase the investment into programs such as behaviour change, safe houses, and sexual/domestic violence crisis, counselling and legal support to ensure they can meet the demand.